<p>^^Tagged me wrong. It’s 2014 in the username! No worries though. You will almost assuredly, from my experiences, have to pay AT LEAST your EFC. In my case, we have to pay our EFC (which is relatively low) plus a few thousand more (which were offered in loans and work study but I’m declining those). Basically, you will probably be obligated to pay your EFC and receive grants and loans for the rest. Most of it should be grants (it has been for me at every college i applied). Some of it will be loans and federal work-study which you may turn down.</p>
<p>I still haven’t gotten my mail letter. I got the Trustee Distinguished scholarship and $2,500 in grants per year. Does that mean my cost is COA-(TDS+$2500) or could there be more?</p>
<p>@FLstudent2014 – oops! It was a slip of the finger on the keyboard, for sure! Thanks for the info. We are hoping to avoid loans, but not sure we can handle the EFC + more out of pocket. We are willing to tighten the belt to afford EFC, but loans are too scary, especially when son has full ride and full tuition at other schools. Fingers crossed for grants and work study. Thanks again!</p>
<p>@yakker While I understand the aversion to debt, I would encourage you to not think of loans as something to be avoided at all cost. There is absolutely nothing wrong with graduating in debt as long as it is comfortably below your son’s anticipated income for the first year after graduation. Of course, the decision is yours and is influenced by your own financial situation. Hope this was helpful</p>
<p>@jfking01 – Wise words, indeed. And very helpful. Thanks. We are definitely considering the possibility of some loans at Rice, but I just keep vacillating between the decision to pay full freight at Rice, versus using a full-tuition scholarship (and just paying room and board out of pocket) at a solid public university in Texas, versus paying nothing (and even getting a small stipend) at our home-state university. Realizing that each school offers very different opportunities, experiences, and connections, it’s a little dizzying trying to decide. But, yes, if Rice can make it manageable, even with some loans, it’s worth considering as you say. I’ll be glad when May 1 has come and gone and the decision is final! </p>